AN Internet seducer, who ripped off women in chatrooms, was cleared yesterday or raping one of his victims. Kenneth Huskinson, 26, stole the mother-of-three's mobile phone and £38 as she slept in his bed after a date. She claimed she was raped but jobless
JERMAINE Jenas expects increased competition for a first-team place this season, and the Newcastle midfielder knows the same duo could limit both his domestic and international ambitions. Jenas made 46 appearances for the Magpies last term, establishing
It's a case of bottom versus top when Peterlee meet Murton this afternoon. And the records of the two sides could hardly be different. For as Murton are unbeaten with eight wins and eight draws, Peterlee have yet to taste success and are 21 points adrift
Get on the "Rest Of The World" team at around 6-4 to beat the short-priced Great Britain & Ireland contingent in the latest renewal of the Shergar Cup at Ascot this afternoon. The "away" team is overseen by former Champion Jockey Michael Roberts and
'DON'T shoot the piano player," they often plead in westerns. Well I'm not so sure. My wife's piano lessons have reached a crisis-point, so she tells me - although why a cheerful little tune like Merrily We Roll Along should cause such misery remains
POLICE said a 12-year-old child has been found carrying a knife similar to the one used to kill a schoolboy. Police in North Yorkshire said the blue-handled knife, with a 6cm serrated blade, was similar to that used by Lincolnshire boy Alan Pennell when
SUNDERLAND past and present collide at Highfield Road this evening, and Mick McCarthy has warned Peter Reid to expect a mixed reception from the club's travelling fans. But the Black Cats boss has insisted that Reid should be remembered for the good times
AN auction mart could become a tourist attraction and learning centre as part of a £5m plan. Hawes Auction Mart, in North Yorkshire, would include a caf, theatre, sales and exhibition areas and sports facilities as part of a planned redevelopment. Maurice
A JUDGE last night made a direct plea to a North-East chief constable not to sack a village policeman who forged the signature of a witness. Although PC Paul Gallagher pleaded guilty to att-empting to pervert the course of justice, Judge Guy Whitburn
He was a cantankerous old so-and-so, but Arthur White Officer was much loved and appreciated by the parish he served for more than half a century The Rev Arthur White Officer had no telephone, no television and no truck with the church authorities. Since
Acting her age comes naturally for Sharon Stone in the new movie Catwoman. She tells Steve Pratt how she has overcome personal trauma to claw her way back to the top. Sharon Stone crossed her legs in Basic Instinct and, in a flash, achieved movie immortality
THE publication of the much-delayed report into disgraced North Yorkshire gynaecologist Richard Neale could be held up again, The Northern Echo can reveal. Fifteen months have passed since the inquiry into the former Northallerton gynaecologist got under
IAIN Wright was selected last night as Labour's candidate to fight the forthcoming Hartlepool by-election. The 32-year-old local councillor won an emphatic victory over his two rivals - gaining more than 78 per cent of the Hartlepool Constituency Labour
Most of Darlington's youthful squad were still in nappies when the club last won the opening-day fixture. So, after over two decades of first-day blues, Quakers aim to kick-off their season on the right note when a new chapter in the club's history starts
Combining some exclusive retail therapy with visiting magnificent historical buildings, Peta King spends a memorable weekend in York. SHOPPING: it's what women do supremely well and most men do under sufferance. So if you could find a way to shop 'til
Following their exciting, penultimate ball victory last weekend, Sunderland are confident they are still in with a shout of carrying off the championship. But skipper Simon Old accepts that his side will need a good result against table-topping Blaydon
STEVE McClaren last night confirmed that Middlesbrough midfielder Juninho has entered transfer discussions with Scottish champions Celtic. The Brazilian international, who is currently in his third spell on Teesside, has found himself squeezed out by
A NORTH-EAST teenager has died following an attack on the party island of Ibiza. Police say Richard Caisley, 19, was punched several times before being struck on the head with a bottle. The fight broke out in a bar at the resort of San Jose, on the island's
HUNDREDS of runners are limbering up for the annual Darlington 10K Road Run, with many about to take their first steps towards fitness. This year's event, sponsored by Sherwoods, will get under way tomorrow and is highlighting the importance of keeping
BILLINGHAM FORUM I WATCHED the "Northern" edition of the Restoration TV programme and was intrigued by the fact that of the three candidate buildings, one was in Sheffield and another in that well-known northern outpost of Cheshire. The main attribute
X-RAY technology specialist Bede plc has promoted James Polasik to the dual role of chief operating officer and head of sales with immediate effect. The Durham company said the changes would allow chief executive Dr Neil Loxley to focus on the strategic
TWO police constables who restrained a violent mentally ill man carrying a knife yesterday received commendations for their actions. PCs Steve Williams and Shane Martin received the accolade during a ceremony at the North Yorkshire force headquarters,
A SONGWRITER could be hitting the charts after one of his works was chosen for inclusion on a compilation compact disc. David Moralee, 22, from Crook, is delighted after his song Fly Away was chosen for the Dance Land CD. Record store HMV has already
A BISHOP Auckland store will celebrate its first anniversary today by giving away sweets and balloons to shoppers. Tony Wilkinson, of the family-owned Wilkinson's store in the Newgate Centre, cut an anniversary cake to mark the occasion. The store created
Residents in Hartlepool are being invited to view details of the plans for a scheme that will see the development of a stretch of waterfront north of the Marina. The plans, which were submitted to the council last month, include housing, leisure, business
PLANS to convert an old hospital into a nursing home, Alzheimer's unit and flats for the elderly will create more than 100 jobs. Richmondshire District Council has approved a proposal to redevelop Scorton hospital - a move that will create more than 130
A MAN broke a car window and punched the driver after he was taunted in a bar. Alan John Hawkins, 23, lashed out following a night drinking at a function being held at Lizzie's Bar, in Catterick Garrison, on November 19, last year. Robin Turton, prosecuting
A COLLEGE for people with disabilities is celebrating after a floral creation by students won a best in show award at the Gateshead Summer Flower Festival. Students at Finchale College, in Durham, also won a gold award for their design Hell to Heaven.
Interactive TV coverage of the Olympics will mean viewers will be able to watch up to six events at once. It makes you tired just to think about it... The Greeks didn't have a word for it 2,700 years ago when the first Olympic Games were held. There was
MORE than £158m will be spent improving the health of residents in Durham and Chester-le-Street this year. The cash equates to £1,043 for every resident in the two districts. Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT) has unveiled its spending
A PLAN to convert a North York Moors village pub into a private house looks set to win approval from the National Park Authority, despite opposition from the local parish council. The Mitre Tavern, at Glaisdale, in the Esk Valley, was originally given
THREE projects in north and east Durham are to benefit in a fresh round of grants for former mining communities. Murton Family Centre, in Murton, near Seaham, receives £4,434. The Easington Colliery Regeneration project will get £10,000 and Stanley Young
TRADERS in Darlington are being invited to take part in a loyalty card scheme by the management team at Lingfield Point, a 107-acre business park in the town. About 2,000 people are employed by more than 40 enterprises at the business park, in McMullen
DARLINGTON town centre could become more breastfeeding-friendly thanks to a £20,000 grant. The borough council has secured the money from the Centre for Public Scrutiny, to carry out a review of the facilities in the town centre for nursing mothers. A
A TEENAGER'S Olympic dream has come true thanks to a wish-making charity. Keen swimmer and transplant patient Lynda Morrison, 17, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is about to go to Athens. And while she is there she will meet her swimming hero and Australian
AN area of high unemployment in Middlesbrough is reaping the rewards of an initiative to help people back into work. The Government-funded scheme has proved a success with 45 formerly unemployed people gaining jobs in eight weeks. Residents of Thorntree
A DIVING club has come to the rescue to solve a sticky situation at the new swimming pool in Stanley. The £5.7m facility, at the Louisa Centre, Front Street, is due to open on Monday. During tests, the main pool's water filter was turned off and dirt
CHILDREN are getting on their bikes for some summer holiday fun thanks to their local police. The Durham force has donated seven bicycles to a community action team, Positive Futures, a problem-solving group backed by the city council, the fire service
ANTI-PIRACY chiefs last night revealed how they uncovered a massive counterfeiting operation when they raided a North-East home. Trading standards officers seized more than £50,000 worth of equipment, DVD movies, computer games and records in the morning
IN-FORM Stephen Hepples will use tomorrow's big Darlington 10K to prepare for his North-East representative debut in next weekend's star-studded Auckland Castle road race. The 24-year old North Yorkshireman, who is one of the region's brightest middle-distance
HUNDREDS of runners are limbering up for the annual Darlington 10K Road Run, with many about to take their first steps towards fitness. This year's event, sponsored by Sherwoods, will get under way tomorrow and is highlighting the importance of keeping
STEPHEN Caldwell is confident that Sunderland could hold their own in the top-flight - but has warned his teammates they have no "God-given right" to play in the Premiership. The Scotland international will make his senior Black Cats debut this evening
LAST week, the last Tory in Hartlepool. This week, the last Labour MP from Hartlepool to try to single-handedly sabotage his own government (unless, of course, you count getting yourself sacked from the Cabinet on two separate occasions). The MP in question
A JUDGE last night made a direct plea to a North-East chief constable not to sack a village policeman who forged the signature of a witness. Although PC Paul Gallagher pleaded guilty to att-empting to pervert the course of justice, Judge Guy Whitburn
Portuguese transsexual bank clerk Nadia Almada, 27, last night won reality TV show Big Brother and claimed the £63,500 prize. With her squawking voice and grating laugh, she seemed unlikely to endear herself to the British public, but became the 50/1
IAIN Wright was selected last night as Labour's candidate to fight the forthcoming Hartlepool by-election. The 32-year-old local councillor won an emphatic victory over his two rivals - gaining more than 78 per cent of the Hartlepool Constituency Labour
THE publication of the much-delayed report into disgraced North Yorkshire gynaecologist Richard Neale could be held up again, The Northern Echo can reveal. Fifteen months have passed since the inquiry into the former Northallerton gynaecologist got under
A SENIOR detective has called for a register for people convicted of child cruelty, following an inquest into a baby's death. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Reddick was speaking after an open verdict was recorded by North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle
THREE locomotives are expected to attract rail enthusiasts from across the region when they arrive at a railway museum next week. Staff at Locomotion: National Railway Museum, in Shildon, County Durham, are preparing to welcome the engines, which were
BAKERY group Greggs announced record half-year profits last night. The results came as the North-East chain opened an outlet at Newcastle International Airport, the first of its kind, which could pave the way for shops at other UK airports. Greggs, which
STEVE McClaren last night confirmed that Middlesbrough midfielder Juninho has entered transfer discussions with Scottish champions Celtic. The Brazilian international, who is currently in his third spell on Teesside, has found himself squeezed out by
A BUTCHER who set up three bogus businesses in the names of characters from popular TV series The Simpsons was jailed for four years yesterday. Shaun David Stockhill appeared at York Crown Court alongside his wife, Lyn-Marie, to plead guilty to their
With the season rapidly nearing conclusion points are precious for those chasing the title. None more so than Hetton Lyons who will see today's fixture against Burnmoor as a chance to complete a double over the side 17 points ahead of them. In the earlier
A NORTH-EAST engineering company will begin reducing hours for its workers from next week. From Monday, workers at Cleveland Bridge, based in Darlington, will begin working one week on, one week off, on a short-time working system. This week, the company
A memorial service is to be held in Durham Cathedral later this year in tribute to Sir Peter Ustinov. The event is being organised by Durham University for Sir Peter, who was its chancellor from 1992 until his death in March. Vice-chancellor Sir Kenneth
Oil prices retreated below the $44 mark yesterday after reaching a record 21-year high. News of a fire at an oil refinery in the US had pushed the price of a barrel of crude in New York to $44.77, the highest level in 21 years, but this later fell back
PETER Reid's seven and a half year reign at Sunderland was immortalised in the BBC TV series "Premier Passions". But the television executives missed a trick. Instead of stopping the cameras from rolling at the end of the 1996-97 season, they should have
A KITE enthusiast has started a business that could see a kite museum opened in County Durham. Malcolm Goodman, from Middleton-in-Teesdale, has started a business that offers corporate kite-making sessions. He was made redundant from British Steel, now
The outcome of today's top of the table clash between Tynedale and Ashington could have a big bearing on the destination of the championship, The Hexham side returned to pole position with a last gasp victory when Ashington lost for only the second time
It is a really big weekend for Guisborough who after meeting rival championship contenders Bishop Auckland at Fountains Garth this afternoon line up against Darlington at Marske tomorrow in the final of the prestigious Kerridge Cup. Richard Dunn's side
HARTLEPOOL United know all about Kevin Betsy. After ending Pool's 28-game unbeaten home run on Boxing Day, when his two goals secured a 2-1 win for Barnsley, Neale Cooper has long admired the front man. And the big striker, at home up front or on the
Interactive TV coverage of the Olympics will mean viewers will be able to watch up to six events at once. It makes you tired just to think about it... The Greeks didn't have a word for it 2,700 years ago when the first Olympic Games were held. There was
Mister Monet, a typically tough and progressive sort from Mark Johnston's Middleham stable, can successfully negotiate a step up in grade by taking the Group 3 Petros Rose Of Lancaster Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Haydock this afternoon, writes
Travel and financial stocks will be in focus next week, with British Airways and Royal and Sun Alliance among the heavyweights updating investors on their progress. While record oil prices and higher employee costs have added to the problems of British
SHARES in Barclays surged by as much as ten per cent after speculation of a bid from US financial institution Citigroup swept through the London market. Dealings in the group's shares were the heaviest of any blue-chip company as investors bought the
SUNDERLAND past and present collide at Highfield Road this evening, and Mick McCarthy has warned Peter Reid to expect a mixed reception from the club's travelling fans. But the Black Cats boss has insisted that Reid should be remembered for the good times
A PRISON reform campaigner was arrested outside a North-East jail as she staged the latest in a series of protests at inmate deaths. Pauline Campbell, 56, of Malpas, Cheshire, was seized for allegedly causing a breach of the peace at Low Newton Prison
DURHAM will consider playing both Andy Blignaut and Australian paceman Shaun Tait in their next championship match against Somerset, starting at Riverside next Friday. With Marcus North already in the side, questions are bound to be asked about how they
Most of Darlington's youthful squad were still in nappies when the club last won the opening-day fixture. So, after over two decades of first-day blues, Quakers aim to kick-off their season on the right note when a new chapter in the club's history starts
POLICE, firefighters and street wardens are to be joined by a host of agencies at open days that will show people what help is available to them. The Woodhouse Close estate, in Bishop Auckland, will be the first venue for one of two open days this month
LEISURE service mascots Duke and Daisy have been handing out magic seeds to children to promote the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. For the first time in its history, the Empire Theatre, in Consett, is to stage a professional pantomime, featuring well-known
VOLUNTEERS who fought to build a community centre on their housing estate are celebrating after receiving a grant for almost £100,000. The Jubilee Fields Centre, in Shildon, has received £98,760 from BBC Television's Children In Need appeal, for a play
LOCAL historians have produced a second CD-Rom of their village's past. The Wheatley Hill History Club brought out its first disk, containing photographs of the village and its former colliery, in May. That proved so successful, selling 100 copies, that
After an amazing escape from the threat of closure, Darlington Football Club kicks off a new season with renewed optimism today. Stuart Mackintosh talks to cheif executive Andy Battison. When I last spoke to Andy Battison, only days after he took up his
A NEW team of old-style council workers yesterday staged a passing-out parade with a difference before beginning their mission to keep County Durham's roads clean and tidy. The five-member squad formed a final muster in Durham before picking up their
SECURITY staff have earned the praise of Cleveland Police for helping to arrest a number of thieves in the past eight months. The most recent criminal spotted and caught by closed-circuit television operators at Stockton's Wellington Square Shopping Centre
A DAZZLING display of the brightest and best blooms is promised at one of Teesside's top horticultural shows later this month. Chrysanthemums, carnations, fuchsias, dahlias, gladioli and sweet peas, as well as vegetables, will be among a host of prize
PATIENTS have given the thumbs up to health services provided by Easington Primary Care Trust. In a survey carried out in all NHS Trusts in England, more than 300,000 patients were asked about their experiences. Overall, 36 questions were considered in
ACCIDENT verdicts were recorded yesterday on two men who died in separate incidents after consuming vast amounts of alcohol. Engineer Andrew Bailey, 45, died on February 16 at his home on Bankhead Road, Northallerton. Yesterday's inquest, at County Hall
CLEVELAND Police plan to show car thieves the red card with an unusual initiative. Every Middlebrough FC supporter who buys a season ticket is being issued with a Know the Score card designed to reduce match day car crime. Middlesbrough's crime prevention
UP to 70 jobs could be created if a supermarket's plans to expand are approved. Tesco has submitted a planning application to Richmondshire District Council to extend its superstore in Catterick Garrison. If given the go-ahead, the firm aims to add more
THE world of football has been dominated of late by the pantomime starring Sven-Goran Eriksson and the FA. Attention has been focused on the highest echelons of the game, where the England manager is paid £4m a year and sport's shambolic, incompetent,
A FORMER councillor who held the distinction of being the youngest chairman has died aged 78. William Graham, who died at his home in Chester-le-Street, was a member of the former Chester-le-Street Rural District Council for 22 years until it was abolished
COUNCILLORS are poised to take action to prevent drunken youths causing misery for villagers. Teenage drinkers loitering in the water park in Middleton St George, near Darlington, have become a cause for concern for the parish council. Councillor Doris
A MOCK pop video shoot has taken place in Darlington in a bid to give young people positive aspirations for their future. Connexions Tees Valley used actors in Wednesday's spoof video shoot in the Market Square to get youngsters interested in its Kick
THE chairman of a crime fighting group is urging people in Darlington to have more respect for their surroundings and stop dropping litter. Brian Pavey, chairman of Darlington Rural Watch, is concerned that rural routes, parks and paths are strewn with
Evenwood return to action today and face Esh Winning, the side which did them a good turn last Saturday when they defeated Kimblesworth. The leaders are now 26 points in front of Kimblesworth and 31 ahead of Esh Winning, who have played a game more than
HARTLEPOOL United know all about Kevin Betsy. After ending Pool's 28-game unbeaten home run on Boxing Day, when his two goals secured a 2-1 win for Barnsley, Neale Cooper has long admired the front man. And the big striker, at home up front or on the
BILLINGHAM FORUM - I watched the "Northern" edition of the Restoration TV programme and was intrigued by the fact that of the three candidate buildings, one was in Sheffield and another in that well-known northern outpost of Cheshire. The main attribute
